Peace and Happiness on Purpose

Imagine two travelers about to embark on a flight. The first walks up to the cashier and says, “I’d like a plane ticket, please.” When the cashier asks where to, the traveler replies, “I don’t know. Just give me a ticket!”

When his plane lands, he reacts negatively to his destination. He repeatedly relocates, changes jobs, and is never satisfied. No matter where he goes, he cannot escape himself.

The second traveler requests a one-way ticket, first class on flight 32 arriving in New York at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Obviously, this passenger will be much happier with his flight and destination. He is turning a clear vision of his destination into reality.

Two Essential Actions for Peace and Happiness

Peace and happiness do not come about by accident. They result from living with a definite purpose and working toward a mission
that allows fulfillment of that purpose.

Ernest Fitzgerald wrote, “It is not by accident that the happiest people are those who make a conscious effort to live useful lives. Their happiness, of course, is not a shallow exhilaration where life is one continuous intoxicating party. Rather, their happiness is a deep sense of inner peace that comes when they believe their lives have meaning and that they are making a difference for good in the world.”

Peace and Happiness from the Inside Out

The happiest people create feelings of peace and happiness internally. Those who depend on outer circumstances to bring happiness rarely find lasting contentment. Our outer world is always a mirror of our inner world.

Like the first traveler, many never define specifically what will bring them satisfaction. Without a sense of purpose, there can be no actions to support it. Instead of inner control, there is inner discontentment blamed on external events.

After changing internally, we can begin to observe many positive changes in our external world. We can know a sense of peace because our work is fulfilling. We can be content because our destinations will be of our own choosing.

Ask yourself these questions:

What is my definite major purpose?

How am I fulfilling my purpose on a daily basis?

May your journey today bring you all the peace and joy of your dreams!